Top 10 Kmart Must-Haves for Boosting Therapy!

Affordable Therapy Tools: Top Kmart Finds for Supporting OT & SLP Skills

When it comes to supporting your child’s development, finding affordable and effective tools can make all the difference. Kmart offers a variety of budget-friendly items that can be repurposed to boost skills in areas like fine motor development, sensory play, language, and social interaction—all crucial for Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) goals.

This guide highlights the best Kmart buys for creating fun, engaging, and skill-building experiences at home, using everyday items to encourage progress in a practical and playful way. Whether you’re looking to add more hands-on activities or reinforce skills learned in therapy, these finds make it easy and accessible.

Playdough

Playdough is an incredibly versatile tool that enhances children’s creativity and development across various domains. By engaging with playdough, children can build fine motor skills, strengthen hand muscles, and improve social interactions through cooperative play. Additionally, it supports speech development by encouraging vocabulary building and descriptive language usage. Occupational therapy goals can also be achieved, such as enhancing hand-eye coordination and sensory processing. Overall, playdough serves as a rich resource for imaginative play and targeted skill-building, making it a valuable addition to any educational or therapeutic setting.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Playdough

Playdough Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds vocabulary Encourages descriptive language Develops sequencing skills Strengthens request and command use Promotes spatial concepts Enhances social skills Supports following directions Encourages articulation	Strengthens hand muscles Improves fine motor skills Encourages bilateral coordination Enhances hand-eye coordination Supports sensory processing Promotes creativity and imagination Develops tool use

Where to Buy Playdough

Big W

View all Big W’s playdough here

Here are some of our favourites below:

• Play-Doh Fantastic 40-Pack
• Play-Doh Bluey Goes Camping Playset with 15 Tools, Kids Arts and Crafts for 3+
• Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Pizza Oven Playset
• Play-Doh Starter Set

Kmart

View all Kmart’s playdough here

Here are some of our favourites below:

• 20 Piece Play-Doh Multicolor Magic Pack
• Play-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset
• Play Doh – Play ‘n Store Table
• PAW Patrol Dough Playset

Bubble Wands

Bubble wands are engaging tools that allow users to create bubbles through a bubble solution, promoting various developmental skills in children. Through blowing and manipulating the wand, children enhance breath control, oral motor skills, and fine motor coordination while enjoying sensory exploration. Bubble play encourages social interaction, turn-taking, and vocabulary building, making it valuable for speech and occupational therapy. The simple act of observing and popping bubbles also aids in emotional regulation and visual tracking. Bubble wands are versatile toys that can enrich playtime and support learning in fun, meaningful ways.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Bubble wands

Bubble Wands Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Develops breath support Enhances oral motor skills Encourages turn-taking Promotes requesting Builds vocabulary Supports following directions Increases engagement Encourages joint attention	Improves breath control Enhances oral motor skills Builds hand-eye coordination Supports fine motor development Encourages sensory exploration Promotes social interaction Improves visual tracking Enhances attention and calming

Where to Buy Bubble Wands

Big W

Mega Bubble Wand 118mL – Assorted*

Kmart

120ml Bubble Mega Wand – Assorted

Mr Toys

Fun Bubble Giant Wand Assorted

Fishing Set

Wooden fishing sets are engaging, hands-on toys designed for children, featuring a magnetic fishing rod and colorful fish pieces with magnets. These sets promote essential developmental skills, such as hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and vocabulary building through descriptive play. They also encourage social interaction through turn-taking and improve cognitive skills like following directions and sequencing. The versatility of these toys allows for creative play, making them valuable tools for both parents and therapists to enhance a child’s learning experiences. Popular retailers include Kmart and Target.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Fishing Set

Fishing Set Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds vocabulary Supports following directions Encourages turn-taking Strengthens descriptive language Enhances sequencing skills for narratives Improves spatial concepts Develops requesting Encourages requests Promotes joint attention	Develops fine motor skills Enhances hand-eye coordination Promotes bilateral coordination Supports grasp development Improves visual tracking Encourages motor planning Develops patience and focus

Where to Buy Fishing Set

Kmart

• Fishing Set
• Wooden Fishing Set

Target

• B. toys Little Fisher’s Kit Colour-Changing Fishing Set
• Wooden Fishing Set – Anko

Doctors Kit

A wooden doctor kit offers children a creative avenue for imaginative play, simulating healthcare scenarios with easy-to-handle medical tools like stethoscopes and syringes. This type of play enhances vocabulary by introducing new medical terms, promoting descriptive language, and facilitating role-playing interactions that build social skills. Additionally, it supports fine motor development and hand-eye coordination through handling small objects. Engaging with the kit also fosters cognitive skills such as motor planning and sequencing, making it a valuable resource for both learning and fun.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Doctors Kit

Doctors Kit Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Enhances vocabulary development Promotes descriptive language Facilitates role-playing Supports sequencing skills Encourages social interaction Develops pragmatic language skills Builds question-answering abilities Improves following directions	Develops fine motor skills Enhances hand-eye coordination Promotes bilateral coordination Encourages grasp and manipulation skills Builds pretend play and imagination Improves body awareness Strengthens motor planning and sequencing

Where to Buy Doctors Kit

Kmart

Wooden Doctor Kit

Big W

Ms Fix-It Doctor In The House Playset

Pop Up Pirate / Pop the Pig

The Pop-Up Pirate game is an engaging activity where players take turns inserting swords into a barrel, leading to the surprise of a pirate figure popping out unexpectedly. This game not only fosters vocabulary building, following directions, and turn-taking but also enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and emotional regulation. As children interact with the game, they develop essential social communication skills and cognitive abilities, making it a versatile tool for both play and learning.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Pop Up Pirate

Pop Up Pirate / Pop the Pig Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds vocabulary Supports following directions Encourages turn-taking Strengthens descriptive language Enhances sequencing skills Improves spatial concepts Develops requesting Promotes joint attention	Fine Motor Skills Hand-Eye Coordination Promotes Bilateral Coordination Encourages Turn-Taking and Patience Supports Grip Strength and Control Develops Problem-Solving Skills Emotional Regulation

Where to Buy Pop Up Pirate / Pop the Pig

Target

Pop Up Pirate

Big W

Tomy Pop Up Pirate

Kmart

TOMY Pop-Up Pirate Game

Play & Learn Matching Eggs 

The Play & Learn Matching Eggs set consists of 12 plastic eggs that split into two halves, featuring raised shapes and matching indentations to promote color and shape recognition in children. This engaging toy enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early cognitive abilities such as matching and problem-solving. It also supports speech development by building vocabulary and encouraging descriptive language, requesting skills, and following directions. Additionally, it fosters social interaction through turn-taking and joint attention. Available at retailers like Kmart, Toyworld, and Amazon, this versatile toy offers numerous developmental benefits through creative play.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Play & Learn Matching Eggs

Play & Learn Matching Eggs  Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds Vocabulary Encourages Descriptive Language Develops Requesting Skills Supports Following Directions Enhances Problem-Solving Language Improves Turn-Taking Strengthens Spatial Concepts Promotes Joint Attention	Develops Fine Motor Skills Improves Hand-Eye Coordination Promotes Bilateral Coordination Encourages Grasp and Manipulation Skills Supports Visual Discrimination Enhances Problem-Solving Skills Strengthens Attention and Focus Builds Spatial Awareness

Where to Buy Play & Learn Matching Eggs

Kmart

13 Piece Play & Learn Matching Eggs

Toyworld

Peterkin Play And Learn Yolkey Mix And Match Eggs

Amazon

GIGIPIG Toddler Toys Matching Eggs Colour & Shape Recognition Sorter Puzzle

Twirly Whirly Rainbow Ramp 

The Twirly Whirly Rainbow Ramp is a colourful vertical toy designed for balls to roll down spiralling ramps, promoting visual tracking and sensory engagement. It serves as a versatile educational tool, supporting speech and occupational therapy goals by helping children build vocabulary, improve fine motor skills, and understand cause and effect. Through play, children can enhance their descriptive language, sequencing skills, and attention.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Twirly Whirly Rainbow Ramp

Twirly Whirly Rainbow Ramp Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds Vocabulary Encourages Descriptive Language Develops Requesting Skills Supports Following Directions Promotes Cause-and-Effect Language Improves Turn-Taking Strengthens Sequencing Skills Encourages Joint Attention	Develops Fine Motor Skills Improves Hand-Eye Coordination Promotes Bilateral Coordination Encourages Grasp and Release Control Supports Visual Tracking Enhances Cause-and-Effect Understanding Strengthens Attention and Focus Builds Spatial Awareness

Where to Buy Twirly Whirly Rainbow Ramp

Kmart

Twirly Whirly Rainbow Ramp

Big W

Lovely Lion Colorful Track Rolling Ball Tower Intelligence Balance Roller Game Baby Educational Toys

Mr Toys

Whirly Rainbow Ramp

Sensory Bin – Dinosaur

The Dinosaur Discovery Sensory Bin Set offers a rich, interactive play experience featuring various components like magic sand, mini dinosaur figures, and volcanoes, designed to stimulate sensory exploration and creativity in children. This sensory bin not only promotes imaginative play but also supports key developmental goals in speech pathology and occupational therapy, including vocabulary building, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. By engaging with the bin, children enhance their language skills, coordination, and focus while enjoying a tactile and educational playtime experience.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on Sensory Bin – dinosaur

Sensory Bin Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds Vocabulary Encourages Descriptive Language Promotes Imaginative Play Develops Requesting Skills Supports Following Directions Enhances Sequencing Skills Strengthens Question-Answering Skills Promotes Joint Attention	Develops Fine Motor Skills Improves Hand-Eye Coordination Promotes Bilateral Coordination Encourages Sensory Exploration Strengthens Grasp Patterns Enhances Problem-Solving Skills Supports Visual Perceptual Skills Increases Attention and Focus

Where to Buy Sensory Bin

Kmart

Dinosaur Discovery Sensory Bin Set – Assorted

Target

Dinosaur Discovery Sensory Bin Set, Assorted – Anko

Big W

Kinetic Sand Dino Sandwhirlz Case

Busy Board House

The Busy Board House is an engaging, interactive toy designed to enhance children’s sensory and motor skills through various components like locks, gears, switches, and buttons. This versatile board promotes vocabulary building, descriptive language, and requesting skills, while also supporting fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Through play, children learn cause-and-effect relationships, sequencing, and joint attention, all essential for social and cognitive growth. The board can be purchased at retailers such as Kmart, Pottery Barn, and Happy Square, making it an accessible option for enriching children’s learning experiences.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on the Busy Board House

Busy Board House Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds Vocabulary Encourages Descriptive Language Promotes Imaginative Play Develops Requesting Skills Supports Following Directions Enhances Sequencing Skills Strengthens Question-Answering Skills Promotes Joint Attention	Develops Fine Motor Skills Improves Hand-Eye Coordination Promotes Bilateral Coordination Encourages Sensory Exploration Strengthens Grasp Patterns Enhances Problem-Solving Skills Supports Visual Perceptual Skills Increases Attention and Focus

Where to Buy Busy Board House

Kmart

Busy Board House

Pottery Barn

Wooden Busy Cube

Happy Square

Sensory Toy House Busy Board

Ring Toss Game

The Ring Toss Game is a fun and engaging activity that involves throwing rings onto pegs to practice hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and concentration. This game not only enhances physical abilities but also supports speech pathology goals by introducing vocabulary, encouraging descriptive language, and developing turn-taking and requesting skills. Additionally, it promotes occupational therapy objectives by improving grasp and release control, visual tracking, and motor planning. The versatility of the Ring Toss Game makes it a valuable tool for children’s development, offering opportunities for skill-building through creative play.

Read more on our blog: One Toy – 10 [or more] Ways: Spotlight on the Ring Toss Game

Ring Toss Game Benefits

Speech Pathology	Occupational Therapy
Builds Vocabulary Encourages Descriptive Language Develops Turn-Taking Skills Supports Following Directions Strengthens Requesting Skills Enhances Sequencing Skills Promotes Cause-and-Effect Understanding Encourages Joint Attention	Develops Fine Motor Skills Improves Hand-Eye Coordination Enhances Grasp and Release Control Promotes Bilateral Coordination Supports Visual Tracking Strengthens Motor Planning Skills Builds Attention and Focus Increases Spatial Awareness

Where to Buy Ring Toss Game

Kmart

Ring Toss Game

Adairs

Ring Toss Beach Game

Target

Coconut Grove – Kids Ring Toss Set Reef Gang

Big W

29pc Tooky Toy Kids/Children Wooden Ring Toss Outdoor Educational Game Set 3y+